“Closing the skills gap is not about creating opportunity. It’s about making sure that people understand all of the opportunities that currently exist,” Rowe said Wednesday. “Michigan is doing the right thing by getting the word out, and mikeroweWorks is honored to help.”

Emily Lawler reported at mlive.com on the partnership between the state of Michigan and mikeroweworks to produce videos that show students skilled trades are sustainable, good career paths. Rowe’s videos, targeted to middle and high school students, will highlight industries like tool and die, health care, construction and welding.

Michigan’s Talent Investment Agency Director Stephanie Comai said according to the agency’s calculations, “we expect to have 6,700 jobs open every year from now until 2022 in the skilled trades.”

Those are big numbers, and with an aging skilled trades workforce the state is working preemptively to help get some talent in the pipeline.